Cleaning the boardwalk

 Last Monday was the time set for the, now annual event of cleaning the boardwalk at Rowsley sidings on NCN 680. Strictly observing Government guidelines, Catherine, David (S) , Peter and I gathered under the watchful eye of the Groundwork co-ordinator, Marion Farrell, on a typically damp autumnal day. Clyde also joined us at the outset but unfortunately soon received a call to return home, and so his stay was brief on this occasion. There is still plenty to do down there in the New Year!

We knew that this section of track was certainly ready for its annual clean. 

At this time of the year the leaves become very wet and "mushy", making for quite an unpleasant experience when walking or cycling through them. The lack of frost this year helped considerably with removing them off the plastic slats of the boardwalk. 

We had all bought with us shovels and brushes, but Peter had the perfect implement for mass movement of leaves. His plastic grass rake was simply built for the job.

We all worked very hard for an hour and a bit before stopping for the customary coffee break. There were plenty of well-wishers passing by as we worked. Almost without exception they stopped to let us know what a fantastic job they thought we were doing. It certainly adds to the total satisfaction of what we are doing when people take the time to thank us for doing it. I think our small team was so well into the rythym of leaf shifting, that we reached the end of the boardwalk all too quickly. We hadn't even done a full 3 hour stint by the time we had walked back to the cars!

Now, doesn't that look smart?

I have sent around our provisional dates for 2021 workdays, as well as the group's 2021 Operational Plan. They are both "drafts", and so if you want to have input into them, then please let me know. 

Thursday 17th @ 1800 is our Christmas get-together. Look forward to seeing everyone at the Zoom call then. If you can't make it, may I wish you a very Merry Christmas now and I look forward to seeing you all in 2021.

Lock-down work day (take 2)

What a joy to be out in the Autumn sunshine, and doing what we Rangers do best! That is, making the National Cycle Network a better place for all users to enjoy. And, do you know what? We had so many positive comments this morning from cyclists, walkers, pram pushers and even ( I would like to think) a couple of the dogs who passed by us during our work day. No hint of complaint, or challenge about why we were there. Just sheer unadulterated praise for what we were doing.

David and Catherine had spotted this opportunity for us to attack on NCN 549, just a short way down the Manifold Trail from the very highly recommended Tea Junction and visitor centre. Excellent coffees. 

The problem was that, before we got started the trail had shrunk to a very narrow width as trackside vegetation encroaches over the path towards the middle. There were also a lot of nasty overhangs. It all amounted to a section of "blind" bends with very little room for manoevre, should anything be coming the other way. Definitely dangerous, especially if people were travelling too fast. This track is very popular with multi-users including walkers, cyclists and horses who of course all travel at different speeds. The decreased width of track was undoubtedly causing problems. 

With the Covid restrictions foremost in our pre-work day Risk Assessment, we were all very well disciplined about keeping a social distance from each other, as we spread out along the 80 metre problem section. we all bought our own tools and very soon had really good lines of sight through, what had only a short time before been quite dense undergrowth. Marion of Groundwork has taught us well about dealing with vegetation that is out of control, and how to leave the spoils of our labours tidily. She would have been proud of what we achieved today.

Clare is the latest recruit into our team and had travelled all the way down from Whaley Bridge to join us. I think she was as impressed as I was to see what the 6 of us managed to achieve in just over 2 hours. She muttered something about Plymouth rangers being a bit wary of overgrown brambles; I think that is what it was! She seemed to like our style anyway.

We decided that, rather than have too much of a good thing all at once, we would come back to this site in the New Year for part 2 of the work. As you can see from the photo below, the tarmac track extends to where Catherine is standing and shovels are required to push back the edge by about 2ft along the entire section. There is also an old tree to chop out and remove, so definitely enough work to keep an industrious and eager group of rangers going for another couple of hours.

With the sun still shining we returned to the car park for our (socially distanced) lunch before setting off on our bikes, back towards Hartington on the NCN 549. David showed us where the existing route down to the bridge in Berresford Dale is to be changed, so that it uses a less unsuitable bridleway. Then on into Hartington and out towards Sheen, before cutting across to the delightful settlement at Brund, before heading back to our cars at Hulme End.

A fantastic day out, lots achieved and a warm inner glow from all the (virtual of course) pats on the back from trail users who obviously appreciated what we were doing. Well done and thanks to everyone. Next work day is Monday 7 December when we will be returning to Rowsley for the final time this year. 

 

Break out from lock down

 Well, we have finally broken free of lock-down restrictions and resumed our work-day activities .. at least in a very limited and controlled way.

On Monday 19 October myself, David S, Catherine and Peter joined up with Marion Farrell of Groundwork to attack overgrown vegetation alongside NCN 680 to the south of Rowsley station. I had noted the expanding vegetation was becoming a nuisance when we cycled by a few weeks ago and this seemed like a good opportunity to start cutting it back.

Marion provided all the equipment, as well as strong messages about social distancing, which meant that we could only ever get close up to the unwanted, encroaching and overhanging vegetation; not each other. Marion even felt that supplying and distributing the normal chocolate hob nobs was off limits, but fortunately Catherine had thought of a way to keep the team happy, and still staying within the new rules.

We didn't entirely clear the entire section in 3 hours, but we did make a significant difference and even received several verbal "thank yous" from passing cyclists. There is a bit more to do, which we will try to fit in to an additional work day on Monday 7 December.

Our next work day is scheduled for Friday 6 November. We are planning to make it a work day with cycle ride and it will be centred around Hartington/Manifold Valley area. Full details to follow in due course but we will aim to look at a couple of problems reported on NCN 549 in Berresford Dale, before moving on to tackle a couple of sections of Manifold Track, where overhanging vegetation is particularly bad and Staffordshire Council are not addressing the issues.

In other areas of interest, I am delighted to report that the much awaited improvement scheme to the track from Rowsley to Coombs Road is scheduled to take place through latter part of October and into November. This will create a temporary alternative link to one of the missing parts of the White Peak loop. Really looking forward to see what that will look like.

If you are planning to join in the work day on 6 November please do let me know in advance so that we can make sure the appropriate risk assessment is put into place.

Carsington and beyond - March workday

The intention for this work day was to simply ride the entire length of NCR 547 and check the signage, condition of track, etc. So efficiently did David & Catherine, new member of the group, Peter and myself complete this task that we decided to extend the ride along the High Peak trail and make the day into a really good circuit.

Minor signage issues were dealt with and old faded signs replaced. As efficient as ever, Catherine had cleaning materials to "spring clean" one or two of the route signs that looked as though they could do with one

Peter showed his ability as the new group photographer and the picture above clearly shows the value of Catherine's spring cleaning efforts.

NCR547 is a delightful route from Tissington across to the High Peak Trail via Bradbourne, Carsington and Hopton. Last year we had problems with vegetation on the short section between the B5035 leading down towards the STWA Visitor centre but we managed to arrange for SWTA rangers to undertake the major works required to clear it. The tyre marks through the mud suggest it is now well used, but some trimming back will be required again in the Autumn and so I will put onto our work plan.

The section a bit further down, literally just before the cycle track enters the STWA estate, has deteriorated as can be seen in the photo below. It certainly doesn't make the track unuseable, but care would be required if used by unconfident or vulnerable cyclists. I will try to see if we can get the STWA Rangers to help us repair it as some specialist input will be required to ensure the same problem doesn't occur as soon as we get the next rainstorm!

We coffee'd at the visitor centre (now a customary feature of work days) and then set off around the (very) full reservoir to leave the circuit track and head off into Carsington. This is a difficult junction and one that I know is concerning the Sustrans quality and safety guardians. We added a few more signs, just to make sure everyone knows where they are meant to be going.

Before we knew it we had reached the High Peak trail (NCR54) and it wasn't even lunchtime. Up on this exposed track it was pretty raw in the wind and so good speed made up the incline and on to Minninglow. (The temporary bridge at Grangemill is supposed to be replaced later this year, I read today. That will undoubtedly cause some disruption for cyclists and so we will need to keep an eye open for precisely when those works are due to take place?

From Minninglow David R suggested a cross-country route back to the Tissington trail via Parwich. I can't believe it but I don't think I have ever been to Parwich and Alsop en le Dale before. Both are delightful and the green in Parwich made a delightful (if not cold) place to eat our sandwiches. It was a great "short-cut" and David even had the solution for getting us safely across the A515 and back on to the trail. It did involve a short section of footpath but as we were pushing, not cycling I think we can be forgiven?

With the threatening rain clouds finally depositing their contents on us we enjoyed the slight downhill gradient along the trail, back to the cars in Tissington.

Another really useful day with plenty achieved.

Next workday will be on Friday April 3rd. Although David and Catherine keep that route in very good order it seems like quite  along time since we had a work day ride in that area. Therefore, that is where we will be heading!

February Work Day

The weather turned out to be much more clement than the forecasts had predicted. So, under bright blue skies and a watery winter sun we set about clearing the scrub, which was once again invading the edges of NCR 680 between Harrison Way in Darley Dale and the Rowsley sidings.

Ably directed by Groundwork's Marion Farrell, a small team of Sustrans rangers helped other members of the volunteer group with more lopping and pruning. It was also a chance for David and Catherine, Maldwyn, David (S) and myself to meet our newest volunteer Peter Posner for whom this was his first experience of  a ranger work (half) day.

Although this is only a relatively short section of national cycle route, ecologically it is a very important area for all sorts of wildlife. There is enough work here to fill at least 2 of our monthly work days each year (spring and autumn) but we may try to fit in an additional late summer session and flow it into a bbq social afterwards. Marion is keen to use an industrial mower to cut back the nettles and brambles which are now free of young saplings, but she needs volunteers to rake away the cuttings, once they have dried out. We now have a date for Friday 4 September, so that's another date for the diaries.

With the more formal part of the work day completed, a smaller group led by David and Catherine departed for a cycle ride through Chatsworth and then over to Hassop cycle hire from where they rejoined NCR 680. I understand the wind was pretty strong up the hill through Chatsworth and so by the time they reached the Hassop cafe they were ready for refreshments. The circuit was completed by cycling along the trail to the Coombs Rd viaduct and then trying the lane up past Coombs Farm and into Manners wood, before dropping down the (steep) hill, back into Rowsley. This lane has been made worse by logging vehicles a couple of years ago but, with care it is rideable. On a nice sunny day the route offers fabulous views over the Wye and Derwent vallies.

This section is due to be upgraded by Derbyshire CC shortly and will become a temporary alternative link between Rowsley and Coombs Rd. I am due to meet with DCC in a couple of weeks and will find out then just what the timescale is for the upgrade, and hence when we can plan for some signing of the temporary route (yellow stickers to the ready). 

Next work day is due to be Monday 9 March and I am suggesting we plan an activity around NCR 547 and the route through Carsington. More details to follow but please put into your diary if you are free. 

Derbyshire County Council - New county cycling infrastructure

I am delighted to provide you with links to the Derbyshire County Council website.

https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/news-events/news-updates/news/cabinet-approve-proposals-for-new-cycle-routes-in-derbyshire.aspx

Late last week (and some 2 years overdue) they have finally produced a plan for improvement to the cycling infrastructure within Derbyshire.

"These plans show our ambition to cement Derbyshire as a world class cycling destination for everyone."

Before you all get too excited too quickly let's be a little cautious whilst we celebrate. I think that Clyde and I went to an event at Derby Velodrome when this project was kicked off in a blaze of publicity 3+ years ago. They refer to a recent 12 week consultation exercise before finalising the plan but I was certainly not aware of that from our attendance at the DCC External cycle users liaison group. I would have loved the opportunity to comment!

If we take the announcement at face value as an encoraging step in the right direction then there are some very interesting prospects for our ranger group in the Peak District.

The link above has links to a map and an executive summary  of the stages being considered . The ones that I thought to be of interest are summarised below.

Link #	From	To	Kms
17	Buxton r/way station	Fairfield common	1.5	Medium term   3-5 years
16	Calton Lees	Rowsley	2.7
19	Matlock R/way station	Cromford (High Peak Junction)	7
18	Coombs Rd, Bakewell	Rowsley	3.9
21	Ladmanlow, Buxton	Macclesfield Rd, Buxton	1.7
22	Macclesfield Rd, Buxton	Buxton r/way station	1.8
15	Baslow	Calton lees	4.9
20	Harpur Hill, Buxton	Ladmanlow (HSE land)	3.6	Long term > 5 years
17a	Fairfield Common, Buxton	Topley Pike	5.3
12	Castleton	Bamford	6.5
68c	Matlock	Beeley Moor	8.4
68b	Beeley Moor	Holymoorside	5.9
68a	Calton Lees	Beeley Moor	4.3
23	Ashbourne	Norbury/ Rocester	8.5
82b	Longshaw Estate	Dronfield	10.6
82	Derwent Valley	Grindleford r/way station	2.7
82a	Grindleford r/way station	Longshaw estate	3.2

Note: there are VERY few sections in the strategy which carry a priority threshold of less than 3 years. None of these are within our region, so not included in this summary.

The top section of my summary are routes which can be prioritised to be delivered within 3 to 5 years. This includes outstanding sections of the White Peak loop. Interestingly it also includes a section through the Chatsworth estate from Rowsley to Baslow; something that I discussed with the Derwent Valley Cycleway team, Peak Park and Chatsworth Land Agent last Friday (please let me know if you would like more info ref those discussions). 3-5 years for some of these sections is probably not unreasonable on the BIG assumption that the Monsal Trail, or equivalent stays in place!

The bottom section of the summary above is even longer term; projects unlikely to be delivered within 5 years. Again, some very interesting suggestions here and ones that would certainly be very exciting if they were to happen.

Mentally I am visualising an incredible network of safe cycling into, through and beyond the Peak District. I am drooling at the prospect! We have a new goverment that has pledged, along with the opposition parties, to put money into cycling infrastructure. We have a new MP in Derbyshire Dales. I think we should start to put some pressure onto them to try and make some of this vision actually happen.

Happy to discuss further